NEWS – The Kerala government has requested the Centre to declare the landslides that devastated at least three villages in Wayanad a national disaster

NATIONAL DISASTER

– No official category of “national disasters”

– Disasters defined under 2005 Disaster Management Act as:

• Catastrophe, mishap, calamity, or grave occurrence
• Arising from natural or man-made causes, accident, or negligence
• Resulting in substantial loss of life, human suffering, property damage, or environmental degradation

Assistance During Natural Disasters

– State government primarily responsible for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation

– Central assistance provided when needed

– National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) supplements State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in case of severe disasters

Funding and Support

– Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) set up with Centre-state shared corpus (3:1)

– National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) provides additional assistance (100% Centre-funded)

– Disaster Management Division of Ministry of Home Affairs provides support and monitors fund utilization

Severe Calamity Classification

– Based on state government memorandum indicating sector-wise damage and fund requirements

– Factors considered: intensity, magnitude, assistance needed, etc.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

– Apex body for Disaster Management in India

– Headed by Prime Minister of India

– Mandated to lay down policies, plans, and guidelines for Disaster Management

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)

– Constituted in each state under Disaster Management Act, 2005

– Primary fund for responding to notified disasters

– Central government contributes 75% (90% in North-East and Himalayan States)

National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)

– Supplements SDRF in case of severe disasters

– Constituted under Section 46 of Disaster Management Act, 2005

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

– Constituted under Disaster Management Act for specialized response to disasters

– 16 Battalions with 1149 personnel each